Kansas Municipal News
Johnson County officials get update on efforts to prep for possibility of coronavirus spread
The new coronavirus that has overwhelmed parts of Asia and now threatens Europe and the Middle East has not yet made an appearance in Johnson County. Even so, county, school and city officials are making plans now for how to deal with a public health threat whose outlines have been changing daily.
Johnson County commissioners got an update Thursday on how public health officials are addressing what scientists say could become a major outbreak of the flu-like disease. But because the virus is new and the threat in Johnson County is low, efforts so far have been to establish preliminary cooperation among governing bodies and health workers, and to discuss strategies for educating the public.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
After outcry over Evergy poles in Wichita neighborhood, restrictions are in the works
When Evergy erected towering power poles near homes in northeast Wichita to support high-voltage lines, the ensuing outcry led to an apology and donations from the energy company.
But utilities in Kansas remained free to do the same thing in other communities.
The Kansas House approved legislation last week that would restrict the authority of Evergy and other utilities to string transmission lines through urban areas. Regulators would have additional power over the projects, with a mandate to evaluate how the poles, which soar more than 100 feet, would affect neighborhood aesthetics.
(Read more: Local News |)
New tornado warning system in the works could give people more time to take shelter
Researchers are developing tools that could deliver severe weather warnings in a new way, offering more lead time when tornadoes and other violent storms threaten.
Residents would also find out quicker when it is safe to leave the basement.
The new warning system – called Threats in Motion– is at least five years away.
(Read more: Local News |)
Fed Ready to Cut Rates Despite Doubt They Can Fix Virus Fallout
The Federal Reserve is now prepared to reduce interest rates this month even though it recognizes monetary policy cannot completely shelter a U.S. economy increasingly threatened by the coronavirus.
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell opened the door to a rate-cut at the Fed’s March 17-18 meeting by issuing a rare statement Friday pledging to “act as appropriate” to support the economy.
He was pushed into making that assurance by spectacular losses in U.S. stocks as investors turned fearful that the spreading virus would significantly damage the American and global economies.
(Read more: Bloomberg)
Bullard says FOMC prepared to act if COVID-19 wreaks havoc on economy
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard said the Fed is ready to act if the COVID-19 virus develops into a destabilizing force on the world economy.
Speaking to the Fort Smith, Ark., regional chamber of commerce on Friday, he said while COVID-19 cases appear to be contained in China, more cases are being reported globally. Global economic growth is likely to slow temporarily, he said, but much of the slowdown will be centered in Asia.
Bullard said the Federal Open Market Committee is in a good position because previous policy rate cuts were designed to insulate the economy from adverse shocks.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
Ellis County eyes sales tax proposals
If Ellis County voters this spring don’t pass two proposed quarter-cent countywide sales taxes, it will mean a reduction in services, said Jason Kennedy, director of the county’s emergency services and the health department.
“None of us want that to happen,” said Kennedy, speaking to a handful of Ellis County residents who showed up on Ash Wednesday at the Hays VFW Post 9076 for a county-sponsored educational session on the sales taxes.
EMS had a $3.1 million budget in 2019, and recouped $1.1 million of that, Kennedy said.
“What would a reduction in service look like?” he asked.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Equifest makes its move to Salina
Equifest 2020, the premier equestrian event for Kansas, is coming to Salina Friday through Sunday. It will bring together as many as 5,000 people each day to the Tony’s Pizza Event Center and the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center to celebrate horses, and much more.
This is the 23rd year of Equifest, but the first year in Salina, in what the Chamber’s Visit Salina staff hopes will be a long-term home.
The event could mean $850,000 in economic development value for Salina.
“Equifest is a three-year event for Salina, but I am always striving for a long-term commitment,” said Jo Ann McClure, with Visit Salina.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Negative U.S. Yields Are in Sight as Virus Spurs Recession Bets
The swirl of fresh coronavirus cases and signs of the severity of the hit on the global economy have seasoned strategists warning that U.S. growth could come to a halt this year and some Treasury yields may drop below zero — possibly as early as this week.
The warnings come as a rout in equities and rate-cut expectations sent long-term Treasury yields to unprecedented lows. Over the weekend, China’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index plunged to the lowest on record amid a surge in coronavirus cases and new fatalities — including the first in the U.S. — around the world.
(Read more: Bloomberg)
Former Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten dies
Longtime state legislator and former Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten was remembered Sunday as a devoted family man, a lifelong advocate for the capital city and the state of Kansas, and a respected politician who never forgot the value of a handshake or the importance of a man’s word.
He was the “quintessential public servant,” Gov. Laura Kelly said.
Bunten, who served as mayor of Topeka from 2005-2013, died Saturday from complications of pneumonia. He was 89.
According to his obituary, Bunten started serving in the Kansas House of Representatives in 1962 and spent his life dedicated to public service.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
At $36.5B, muni bond sales see busiest February in 34 years
Taxable bonds and COVID-19 are two of the main catalysts that helped February municipal bond volume ascend to its highest level since at least 1986, which is as far back as Bond Buyer data tracks.
There was $36.51 billion of volume in February, a 38.4% increase from the activity the market saw in February of 2019. Historically, the muni markets gets off to a slow start issuance wise at the beginning of the year. This was only the fifth time in the past 34 years that volume exceeded $30 billion for the second month of the year. January issuance totaled $29.6 billion.
Muni issuance continued its frantic pace as taxable issuance has taken the market by storm, fears of COVID-19 have pushed benchmark muni yields to all-time lows and issuers are coming to market to take advantage of these conditions.
(Read more: The Latest)
Louisburg approves leases for ag land
Louisburg City Council has signed off on two land-lease agreements for agriculture production on city-controlled acreage.
Council members voted 4-0 to approve a five-year lease agreement with Babe Cutshaw for hay production on 39 acres of uncultivated land located in Lewis-Young Park. The agreement calls for an annual payment of $350.
Cutshaw, who was the only bidder, has been farming the land since 2016, according to city documents.
The council also voted 4-0 to approve a five-year lease agreement with Greg Foote Farms to farm 21 acres of city-owned land at 29146 South Rogers Road for $2,105 per year.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)
10-year Treasury yield collapses to another record low of 1.18% amid coronavirus fears
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield plunged to a fresh record low on Friday as investors dumped riskier assets and searched for safer options amid the coronavirus outbreak.
At around 6:20 a.m. ET, the benchmark rate traded around 1.18%. Friday marked the first time ever the benchmark rate traded below 1.2%. The 10-year yield ended last week at 1.47%. The 2-year rate, meanwhile, slid to 0.96%.
Concerns about the global economic impact of the coronavirus have dented investor sentiment this week. The death toll in China from the virus has topped 2,700. Meanwhile, New Zealand and Nigeria reported their first coronavirus cases overnight. In Iran, the number of cases has grown to nearly 400.
Read more: CNBC.
Municipal Bond Trends for February 27, 2020
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Shared-use path to Hesston has $3.5 million price tag
A hiking/biking trail linking Newton to Hesston along Old Highway 81 is possible but expensive, according to the engineer who performed a feasibility study for the county.
“A shared-use path is possible,” said Jay Anglemyer with MKEC Engineering, Inc. “It can be expensive, and we’ve accounted for those costs.”
Anglemyer’s projected cost for a 10-foot-wide concrete path was about $3.5 million. That figure accounted for contingencies of about $460,000. He said he would plan on contingencies, especially if the county was going to apply for a grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation. He said it did the county no good to be under budget such a project.
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
Lawrence residents say housing, jobs and homelessness will be key issues for city’s next strategic plan
When a group of residents were asked what changes they wanted to see in Lawrence in 10 years, common replies included more affordable housing, higher paying jobs and progress addressing social issues such as homelessness.
About 40 people attended a public meeting Wednesday at the Carnegie Building to gather input for the city’s 2020 strategic plan. The strategic plan, which updates the plan created by the last City Commission in 2017, will set specific goals for the city for the next few years, and commissioners will use the plan when making budget decisions.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Lawrence homeowner appeals court decision regarding controversial Queens Road taxing districts
A Lawrence man who sued the City of Lawrence over the Queens Road taxing districts continues his legal efforts to stop the $5.3 million road project from proceeding as planned.
Last year, Queens Road homeowner Kurt Schaake filed a lawsuit against the city in Douglas County District Court claiming that the taxing districts the city set up to fund the project are arbitrary and capricious and therefore out of line with state law. A judge dismissed that lawsuit prior to trial for representation issues, but Schaake has now filed an appeal with the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Recruitment re-vamp: Topeka Police recruiting efforts gain national attention and more candidates
Recruiting at the Topeka Police Department has never looked the same, or more successful.
A group of officers re-vamped the strategies and process. One of those officer was also just named officer of the year, Sgt. Vidal Campos. He’s been with the department for 17 years.
“I did a lot of investigations for 10 years, but being around new recruits it’s almost energizing,” Sgt. Campos said. “It’s like, I feel the same energy that they do. I feel just as motivated as they do.”
Finding candidates to consider a career as a Topeka police officer is on the rise. Sgt. Campos said they’ve changed the game for getting recruits, and more importantly, keeping them.
Three years ago is when strategies started to change. Today, you’ll see officers in university classes working to get to know future candidates.
(Read more: KSNT News)
Kansas schools could get more state aid by removing Fort Leavenworth from formula
A revision in the way Kansas calculates aid for school district projects could help lower property taxes for residents across the state.
The Senate unanimously signed off on legislation Wednesday to provide additional support for bonds issued to fund facility improvements. The formula changes would apply to future bond projects, as well as those issued in the past five years.
Under a formula adopted in 2015, the state calculates assistance based on how a school district compares to the district with the lowest assessed property value per pupil. The numbers are skewed because Fort Leavenworth Unified School District 207 sits on a military base with virtually no taxable property.
(Read more: CCherokee County News Advocate)
Kansas Senate passes sports gambling plan despite concerns with state’s cut of action
The Kansas Senate on Wednesday moved to legalize sports gambling over objections from Democrats who complained that a deal brokered after two years of haggling too heavily favors casino managers.
Adults could place bets on professional and college athletics through online platforms and in person at the four state-run casinos under the terms of the bill. Gambling would be restricted to adults who are at least 21 years old.
Sen. Jeff Longbine, a Republican from Emporia, said the legislation represented work that began before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 affirmed the right of states to legalize sports wagers.(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)
Nemaha County Commission approves wind farm agreements
The Nemaha County Commission approved five agreements with Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources for a 300 megawatt Soldier Creek Wind Farm in southern Nemaha County.
…The agreements include development of the project, road use, compensation for the county, complaint resolution and dismantling the project.
As part of the road use agreement, NextEra will be responsible for repairing any damage done to county roads during the project and making improvements to handle the heavy equipment and materials crews will be transporting.
(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)